Dec. 30, 2018
05:07 pm JST

I would imagine that getting more South American countries in would eventually force the U.S to reconsider. I would seem pretty silly for the U.S to ignore the moves of countries in its own backyard, like Columbia if it signs up. If a country like Brazil signs up that would have to make the U.S rethink after Trump goes.

Dec. 30, 2018
07:23 pm JST

They should stop calling it a trade deal. Japan has made so many stipulations it is no longer a deal. The foods japan grows and sells for ridiculously inflated prices have been cut out of the deal. The average consumer is going to see no benefit from this at all.

Dec. 31, 2018
03:41 am JST

Dec. 31, 2018
06:33 am JST

Why does Japan need a 15 year gear period to reduce the tariffs on beef imports?

Am I missing something? Isn't Japan being asked to change? Won't it take longer than that to schedule all the pre-meeting meetings about the actual meetings necessary before any concrete action can be taken by the stakeholders?

Dec. 31, 2018
06:50 pm JST

Dec. 30, 2018
08:06 pm JST

I'm all for this, although I suspect that this pact will eventually end up developing a form of agricultural compensation scheme similar to the EU's CAP, that enables farmers to keep going. Except, instead of supporting France, like the EU does it will support Japan. Problem is, instead of modernising and adapting, schemes and compensation funds like this only reward inefficiency. In a few years down the line, other members will start to question this and get annoyed if the shcem begins to eat up money and demand more.

Dec. 30, 2018
08:45 pm JST

Dec. 30, 2018
09:00 pm JST

This is a positive way forward for trade around the Pacific, and hopefully even wider if the organisation expands. Tariffs and quotas can be useful as a temporary way to protect your country against unfair subsidies and dumping, but long-term it hinders more than it helps (e.g. higher food prices and reciprocal trade barriers levied against you).

As a treaty, the TPP supersedes the domestic laws of each member country. That means once a pro-business legislation is passed, people cannot change it by voting against it.

That isn't how international trade pacts work. Although in Europe it is the case that EU law can force countries to act in a certain way, the TPP won't be passing legislation as the EU Commission, Council and Parliament do, so the effects won't be comparable. It is largely about removing tariff barriers to trade.

There is nothing in the TPP agreement that will stop any member country from, for example, increasing corporation tax, passing laws to increase worker rights, etc.

Dec. 31, 2018
12:00 am JST

It is time the nations of the world started of take more control of the US. Time to isolate the US and let them go it alone. As Trump said: America First, so let America fight its own battle and stop demanding the assistance of so-called allies. It appears the world still hasn't learnt that appeasing a bully does not lead to peace but to more bullying. The West needs to stop appeasing the US and start isolating the warmonger.

Dec. 31, 2018
12:20 am JST

Dec. 31, 2018
02:39 pm JST

Am I missing something? Isn't Japan being asked to change? Won't it take longer than that to schedule all the pre-meeting meetings about the actual meetings necessary before any concrete action can be taken by the stakeholders?

Yes, and course Japan will expect other members of TPP to lower their tariffs with immediate effect.

Nothing ever really seems to change with Japan. Still want their cake and eat it.

Dec. 30, 2018
06:38 pm JST

Dec. 30, 2018
08:01 pm JST

As a treaty, the TPP supersedes the domestic laws of each member country. That means once a pro-business legislation is passed, people cannot change it by voting against it. The TPP is undemocratic and designed to enhance corporate interests at the expense of ordinary people.

Dec. 31, 2018
03:03 am JST

we all need to get away and diversify off China and the USA so this is a great step away from them. If a country wants a trade agreement with them they should do their own deals and not interfere with the CPTPP

Dec. 31, 2018
04:21 am JST

Look at that NZ Minister Parker - he spent a whole 6 months pre-election whining about how his party wouldn't back the TPP - then they could wait to flip-flop after their 36% election win and sign the thing.

Jan. 3
12:27 am JST

Dec. 30, 2018
10:20 pm JST

Wow, cheaper beef by 2033.

Cheaper is ultimately up to the retailer that you buy from. But the tariff reduction on beef imported into Japan - it's not total elimination - is implemented in stages until 2033. As CPTPP enters into force today, the 38.5% tariff drops to 27.5%.

So if tariff reductions means cheaper to you, then yes, it's cheaper. You couldn't really say it's the same or more expensive.